Conference League draw: Chelsea discover potential opponents for last 16

On Thursday night, the Blues made it six successive victories in the competition as they recorded a 5-1 win over Shamrock Rovers.

As a result of confirming top spot in the League Phase table, Enzo Maresca's side have earned a place in the last 16 and a tie with a team that finished between ninth and 24th spot.

However, a potentially tricky two-legged fixture awaits Chelsea when they resume their bid for the trophy in March.

Who could Chelsea face in Conference League last 16?

The draw for the knockout phase playoff ties took place on Friday with 16 teams being paired together in eight games that will take place on February 13 and February 20.

Some high-profile clubs featured in the draw, most notably Real Betis, and there is potential for one of the main contenders for the trophy to face Chelsea in one of the earlier rounds.

Real Betis will square off against Gent in the next round, the first leg taking place in Belgium, while two of the other notable names in FC Copenhagen and Heidenheim also being drawn together.

Those two sides are other potential opponents for Chelsea in the last 16, Chelsea essentially being handed the worst draw possible with Panathinaikos and Molde the only other major teams in the draw.

How are each team faring in their respective league?

Chelsea are no strangers to facing Gent or Heidenheim having played them in the League Phase. The West Londoners prevailed 4-2 versus Gent on Matchday One before beating Heidenheim by a 2-0 scoreline on Matchday Four.

Gent currently sit in sixth position in the Belgian top-flight table, 11 points adrift of leaders Genk, while Heidenheim are down in 16th place in the Bundesliga standings.

Real Betis occupy a mid-table spot in La Liga, with Copenhagen sitting top of the Superliga standings on goal difference ahead of FC Midtjylland.

Knockout phase playoff draw in full

Gent vs. Real Betis

TSC vs. Jagiellonia Bialystok

Celje vs. APOEL

Vikingur Reykjavik vs. Panathinaikos

FC Copenhagen vs. Heidenheim

Molde vs. Shamrock Rovers

Omonia vs. Pafos

Borac Banja Luka vs. Olimpija Ljubljana

Written by

Darren Plant